Saturday, November 13, 2021

K. Neill Foster on Biblical Holiness and Premillennialism

  

Biblical Holiness and Premillennialism

 

Two Scriptures are very emphatic here:” And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3, KJV); “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:32, KJV). If the millennium is not real, then is the Lord really coming, and is there anything to get ready for and be pure about? Or if the millennial dawn arrives after the whole world abandons sin and gradually converts to Christianity, how does present-tense holiness connect to an event that may be a thousand years hence? (An important caveat here: It is a stretch to blame amillennial thought for the pervasive carnality of weak believers.)

 

A.B. Simpson saw premillennialism as a great and powerful instrument in the life of a believer. “This is an intensely practical truth—a great level that will uplift the world into a fitness to receive Him. It is intimately associated with holiness, ‘He that hath this hope purifieth himself even as He is pure’ (1 John 3:3)” (A.B. Simpson, “How I was Led to Believe in Premillennialism,” The Christian and Missionary Alliance Weekly, November 13, 1891).

 

The Apostle Paul yearned for this coming crown, but also believed there would be a crown for those that “Love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8, KJV). The author of Hebrews wrote, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, KJV). . . this soundly biblical doctrine is there, and it is unavoidable. It is part of the authentic Christian message and is biblically linked to the return of Jesus Christ. Premillennialism is a theological option which stimulates a vibrant personal faith and encourages, even demands, an ardent pursuit of holiness. (K. Neill Foster, “Premillennialism, the Scriptures and Convergent Issues.” in K. Neill Foster and David E. Fessenden, Essays on Premillennialism: A Modern Reaffirmation of an Ancient Doctrine [Camp Hill, Pa.: Christian Publications, Inc., 2002], 59-73, here, pp. 67-68)